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North Augusta schedules March 21 ribbon cutting for new public safety headquarters; building includes dispatch, EOC and forensics spaces
Summary
City officials set a March 21 ribbon cutting for the new North Augusta Public Safety Headquarters and previewed new dispatch, emergency operations and evidence-handling facilities during the March study session.
North Augusta officials announced a public ribbon-cutting for the city’s new Public Safety Headquarters on Friday, March 21 at 2 p.m., and showed council members a tour of the building’s dispatch center, emergency operations/training room and a new evidence-processing area.
The public safety headquarters will house a modern dispatch center with multiple operator screens, an emergency operations center (EOC) training room and a secured evidence workspace with drying and fuming equipment. Chief Johnson said the dispatch room now has a large window so operators can see outside storm conditions and adjustable lighting “so when they look at those computer screens all day, that’s the way the dispatchers prefer it to be.”
Why it matters: The building consolidates operations that were previously split across older facilities and is a central element of the city’s capital projects funded by the capital project sales tax. Officials said the new space will allow guided public tours after the ribbon cutting and provide better work space for operations during storms and other emergencies, a capability repeatedly highlighted since Hurricane Helene.
City staff emphasized operational improvements. Chief Johnson walked council through the training/EOC room setup — reconfigurable desks with data ports and multiple display screens — and an evidence-processing area that contains a vent hood for fingerprint fuming and a drying machine for contaminated clothing. “This allows them to do that safe environment rather than breathing the dust in,” Chief Johnson said of the fuming hood.
Council members and staff framed the opening as a milestone for the city’s multi-year capital program. Mayor and staff noted the building separates courthouse functions from public safety within the site, clarifying public circulation and signage. The city also plans guided, small-group tours of the working facility after the ribbon cutting so the public can see the new operations without disrupting active work areas.
The Public Safety Foundation, which supports department training and officer relief, was acknowledged during the presentation. Foundation representatives and department officials described past and planned support for officer training and community outreach; the foundation in 2024 raised nearly $30,000 and set a 2025 fundraising target of $40,000 to support training, outreach and officer relief.
Officials asked the public to attend the ribbon cutting and said details and tour logistics would be posted on the city website and social channels.
